EMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, today announced that it has been recognised by Everything Channel’s VARBusiness as one of North America’s top information-technology (IT) vendors for the EMC Velocity² Partner Programme.

EMC Velocity² Partner Programme was certified as a Gold 5-Star Overall Winner in VARBusiness’s 2008 Partner Programme Guide (PPG), a guide that acknowledges the commitment and strength of a vendor's partner programmes for its Channel resellers, IT integrators, and technology consultants.

The EMC Velocity² Partner Programme, which supports EMC’s channel strategy, is focused on developing a balanced portfolio of motivated, loyal and self-sufficient partners by delivering a robust programme with rich financial rewards and providing partners with the opportunity to accelerate their profitability with EMC.

Of the hundreds of vendor programme entries reviewed for this year's guide EMC was one of only ten Gold 5-Star Overall Winners chosen in this 14^th annual VARBusiness Partner Programmes Guide survey. EMC was also certified a Silver 5-Star Winner in the Sales Support, Marketing Support, Partner Profitability, Channel Operations, Partner Recruitment, and Communication.  

“The quality of a vendor's partner programme reflects the true commitment they have to the thriving Solution Provider Channel, and this years 5-Star Partner Programmes Guide winners are the cream of the crop of Channel-friendly vendors," said Robert C. DeMarzo, senior vice president and editorial director, Everything Channel.  “EMC continues to deliver a well-received partner programme focused on partner enablement, profitability and ease of doing.”

“We are honored to once again receiving the VARBusiness 5-Star recognition,” said EMC’s Pete Koliopoulos, Vice President, Global Channel Marketing.  “It is true validation of our ongoing commitment to the satisfaction and profitability of EMC’s partner community.”

The guide appears in the March issue of VARBusiness and can be found online at www.channelweb.com.

About EMC

EMC Corporation is the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organisations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.EMC.co.uk.

About VARBusiness

For the past 20 years, VARBusiness'strategic resources have been the gateway to the commercial and public sector (or government) Solution Provider community. The VARBusiness integrated platform of media opportunities provides strategic insight for technology integrators through industry-defining research, in-depth editorial, channel events and innovative Web services, enabling these IT professionals to make educated decisions for their businesses, partnerships and customers. VARBusiness offerings lead vendors and distributors to unprecedented access to the most powerful strategic Solution Providers in the market. VARBusiness has been the recipient of numerous industry awards for both editorial content and design.  

About Everything Channel (www.everythingchannel.com, www.channelweb.com)

Everything Channel is the global leader in Channel execution and serves as the one stop shop for Solution Providers and the hardware and software suppliers that engage with the indirect sales Channel, which drives 75 percent of all technology sales throughout the world.  Solution Providers turn to Everything Channel for product information, business guidance, market intelligence and management tools.  IT suppliers use Everything Channel to gain access to and influence the Solution Provider audience, develop strategy, obtain market intelligence and execute sales, recruitment and Channel enablement objectives. Everything Channel provides for the wide range of business needs for both Solution Providers and IT suppliers to run their business.

Everything Channel is the number one source for the Channel market, helping businesses run more profitably and effectively.  Through use of its portfolio of channel solutions which include the ChannelWeb online network, magazines (CRN and VARBusiness), events (XChange and Vision), workflow tools (MTC and eXalt), tele-recruiting, sales support, marketing services, research and education (IPED), technology sellers are able to rapidly accelerate sales.  Everything Channel provides the answer to strategy and branding, online marketing, market intelligence, lead generation, branded and custom events, education and workflow tools targeted to those who buy and sell through the Channel.

EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation.  All other  trademarks are property of their respective owners.